Re: MXR Distortion +
I'm sure if the Dist. + was modded to improve what sounds like cheap components it would be a cool sounding pedal all on it's own, and small at that. But there's work needin' to be done inside those newer ones before they can be called great pedals, IMO. I'm sure Zak Wylde doesn't use a stock Dist +, just as I'm sure Jeff Beck doesn't use a newer version of the RAT pedal for his vintage tones. They want their sound pure no matter what the style is. My RAT is pretty quiet and the tones aren't bad for a RI (I've read that there are better recent years that these were made....and then there's some years that were real clunkers), but that D + was unbearably noisy and I can't believe that this is what that pedal is intended for.
I'm totally with STRATDELUXER97 (John S.) on the question of why manufacturers like Ibanez, Boss, Dunlop (MXR), Vox, etc. don't replicate the original pedals they claim they're reissuing instead of using sub-standard components that don't even come close sometimes to the originals' sounds. It's a rip-off.
The Tubescreamers I use don't mask the tone like a Dist. + does when I crank up the distortion on 'em - which I don't need to use too much of 'cause my amp has good natural distortion when in it's sweet spot. If I want a little thicker distortion than a screamer I use my modded DS-1.
If you want a better distortion pedal along the lines of a D +, go score yourself a cheap Boss DS-1 off ebay and send it to John S. for his bad-boy mods....you won't regret it. Mine's still in my rig, but that + isn't.
.....Bob